Digital Commons Network^™

“The Influence Of Social Media And Algorithmic Capitalism On Popular Fiction”, Emma Bracken

2026 Research Poster Competition

In giving over literature wholly to the market, collapsing as far as possible the distance between literature’s residually sacral significance as a repository of higher values and its everyday function as a commodity, Amazon in one sense intensifies a phenomenon occasioned by the consolidation of publishing in recent decades into immense multinational media conglomerates,” writes professor Mark McGurl in his book, Everything and Less: The Novel in the Age of Amazon (2021). McGurl’s research on Amazon’s role in the literary industry created a baseline for my research on the use of algorithms in digital marketplaces as they relate to literary …

Assessing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Phenotype After Heparan Sulfate Supplementation, Isani Patel

2026 Research Poster Competition

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages the protective coating of nerves, often causing lasting neurological symptoms. Current treatments slow disease activity but rarely repair existing damage. In response to this, a novel treatment option has emerged: mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy. MSCs are cells found in different adult tissues like bone marrow, and they have the potential to release repair-supporting signals and moderate inflammation. Nevertheless, results in a clinical setting have been inconsistent due to variations in cell potency. As a potential strategy to enhance MSC therapeutic potential, the addition of heparan sulfate, a naturally occurring signaling molecule, …

Cardiovascular Monitoring For Maternal Health Using Wearable Devices, Daniela Alejandra Vasquez

2026 Research Poster Competition

Cardiovascular disease represents the leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States, accounting for over 30% of maternal deaths, with preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders contributing significantly to this burden. In Arkansas, maternal mortality rates reach 41.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. Current prenatal care relies on intermittent office-based blood pressure measurements conducted during 12-14 clinical visits, may not capture critical cardiovascular changes in a timely manner. Preeclampsia is characterized by new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation, affects 3-7% of pregnancies, and requires early detection to enable timely intervention. The limited accessibility of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in rural …

Stream Education: How It Can Enrich The Expansion Of Social-Emotional Learning., Madalyn Menke

2026 Research Poster Competition

This research project investigates the implementation of a STREAM Education curriculum – integrating science, technology, reading/writing, engineering, arts/humanities, and mathematics, with a group of fourteen elementary-aged students. The study explores how the intentional inclusion of Reading and the Arts within a traditional STEM framework - guided by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL framework - can enrich students’ social-emotional wellbeing and engagement in learning. In partnership with SOAR Afterschool Care, an eight-week instructional project was implemented in which students read What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada as a central text. The book served …

Uav-Based Sensor Integration For In-Situ Lake Water Quality Monitoring, Alec Campbell

2026 Research Poster Competition

Current water quality assessment methods rely heavily on manual sampling and laboratory analysis, which are time-consuming and difficult to perform in remote or hazardous environments. In surface water monitoring, spatial and temporal resolution is often constrained by labor, access, and logistical limitations of manual sampling programs. This research aims to develop a drone-based system for real-time, in situ lake water quality monitoring. To address these challenges, the project focuses on integrating multiple water quality sensors, including oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, and a multispectral spectrometer, into a compact, UAV-compatible design capable of collecting spatially referenced data. Methods: …

Enhancing Prosthetic Hand Training Through A Virtual Reality–Based Framework Integrated With The Coapt Control System., Iruoghene Ojoh

2026 Research Poster Competition

Enhancing Prosthetic Hand Training Through a Virtual Reality–Based Framework  Integrated with the Coapt Control System. Ojoh, I.1,2, Shell, A.1,  Asbee, J.1, Aguilar, D.1 ,Abbas, J.1,2,   1Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR;  2Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR  Introduction: Advances in upper-limb prosthetic hardware have greatly improved strength, durability, and mechanical performance; however, achieving intuitive control of EMG-based myoelectric prosthetic hands remains a significant challenge for individuals with trans-radial amputations. These devices rely on electromyography (EMG) signals generated by residual forearm muscles, which require consistent and well-coordinated muscle activation. Many users experience difficulty …

Functional Characterization Of The Reniform Nematode Effector Protein Rr6640 In Soybean Parasitism, Noah Solomon

2026 Research Poster Competition

Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis, RN) is a major plant-pest affecting key crops in Arkansas such as cotton and soybean, causing economic losses exceeding $757 million in the U.S. over the past decade. While some genetic resistance exists in cotton, soybean remains highly susceptible, exacerbating RN populations in crop rotations. To address this gap, this research investigates the mechanisms of nematode infection focusing on effectors, the specialized proteins secreted by the parasite to manipulate host cell biology and suppress plant immunity. This study characterizes Rr6640, a putative effector gene identified as an ortholog to a virulence factor in the Beet Cyst …

A Probabilistic Approach To Multiscale Simulation: Evaluating Machine-Learned Backmapping Models Of Diphenylalanine, Sage Paschall

2026 Research Poster Competition

Diphenylalanine (FF) has demonstrated the tendency to form several nanostructures, a subset of which are electrically conductive and have exciting potential applications in biotechnology and nanoelectronics. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this self-assembly process remain largely ambiguous. Atomistic-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations allow for the evaluation of atomic-level interactions crucial in understanding the driving thermodynamic forces behind self-assembly, but are too computationally expensive to span the necessary timescale to observe the self-assembly process in action. Coarse-grained (CG) models allow for simulation at the appropriate timescale but come at the cost of vital atomistic detail. It is therefore important to develop …

Testing The Effects Of Mechanical Stimulation On Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultures, Ella Collis

2026 Research Poster Competition

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising treatment option for a variety of diseases due to their ability to migrate to far-off sites, modulate inflammatory immune responses, secrete factors that aid in tissue healing, and their capacity to become several cell types. These cells can be found and isolated from various body tissues including bone marrow and adipose tissue, even so the number of cells obtained from these tissues is minimal compared to the amounts needed for their transplantation in cell therapy treatments. Therefore, their culture in plastic dishes is required to increase the number of cells and obtain the …

Flair- Flow-Level Anomaly Intrustion Recognition, Joseph Dumond

2026 Research Poster Competition

Industrial control systems (ICS) and industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) networks support critical infrastructure such as power generation, water treatment, and manufacturing. As these systems become more connected, they are increasingly exposed to cyber threats. However, many existing intrusion detection approaches rely on detailed packet inspection or supervised machine learning techniques that require labeled attack data and extensive tuning, making them difficult to deploy in real industrial environments.ICS networks typically generate highly regular and predictable communication patterns due to periodic control logic and deterministic device behavior. Because of this structure, abnormal or malicious activity often appears as a disruption to …

When Relevant Isn’T Readable: Evaluating Cognitive Accessibility In Search, Kaija Frierson

2026 Research Poster Competition

According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people worldwide experience some form of disability. Many of them may affect cognitive processing and reading comprehension rather than vision or mobility, which creates barriers when accessing written information online. Web search is a critical modern literacy skill used for learning, decision-making, and everyday problem solving, yet most search systems are designed with the assumption that all users can process complex written language equally. As a result, people with dyslexia, other cognitive disabilities, low literacy levels, or who are English language learners may struggle to access relevant information even when …

Monitoring Streambank Morphology Using Iphone Lidar Technology, Lily C. Stitt

2026 Research Poster Competition

Monitoring stream morphology is crucial for maintaining the health and safety of fluvial environments, particularly as these naturally dynamic systems are shifted out of equilibrium due to climate and land-use change. Quantifying these changes in stream geometry is useful for infrastructure design, water quality assessment, water resource management, and stream restoration, among other applications. Traditional stream surveying methods contain limitations that inhibit affordable and accessible stream surveying needed for evaluating fluvial systems with high accuracy and large data samples. In recent years, several advancements have been made in the use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology as an alternative …

P4 Driven Data Plane Analytics For Industrial Control Network Security, Haden Fowler

2026 Research Poster Competition

Industrial control systems manage critical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment plants, and manufacturing facilities. These systems rely on specialized network protocols to send measurements and commands between sensors, controllers, and operator workstations. Protecting these networks from cyberattacks is essential because a successful intrusion could disrupt services that millions of people depend on daily. Most current security monitoring approaches analyze copies of network traffic after it has already passed through the system. This delay means that malicious commands may reach their targets before any alarm is raised. More importantly, when alerts do occur, operators often lack the evidence needed …

Analysis Of Potential Alkali Reactivity Of Aggregates In Arkansas, Brigita Dowling

2026 Research Poster Competition

Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) is a deleterious chemical reaction in concrete that leads to the deterioration of concrete structures. This reaction occurs between minerals present in aggregates and alkalis in the cement, and produces a gel-like substance called alkali silicate gel. Gradually, these gels absorb water from the environment and expand, leading to internal stresses in the concrete. This damage results in expansion, cracking, and deformation, reducing the strength and durability of the concrete significantly. While this damage appears minor initially, eventually they can lead to the need for costly repairs or replacement of the concrete. ASR has been observed …

Development Of A Scalable 32x32 Capacitive Sensing Array Using Fpga Controlled Multi-Bus I2c Communication, Jonathan Digby

2026 Research Poster Competition

High-resolution capacitive sensor arrays are widely used in applications such as robotics, wearable devices, and biomedical devices where accurate detection of touch, proximity, and motion is crucial. As these systems are scaled up to achieve higher resolutions, challenges pertaining to communication reliability, data synchronization, and system latency become more important. Capacitive sensor arrays detect changes in capacitance caused by disturbances in nearby electric fields. While these arrays are effective at small scales, large arrays often suffer from signal degradation and latency when all sensors rely on a single controller and communication bus. This research addresses these challenges by developing a …

Solidfit: A Decentralized Mobile Health-Tracking App Using Personal Online Data Stores (Pods), Evan Meyers

2026 Research Poster Competition

Personal fitness data is increasingly collected through mobile applications, yet most current systems store this information in centralized platforms that limit user control, long-term ownership, and data portability. This project addresses the question of whether a decentralized data model can be used to support everyday fitness tracking while preserving user autonomy and privacy. As individuals become more aware of how their health data is collected and shared, there is a growing need for systems that allow users to retain ownership of their personal information without sacrificing usability or functionality.This research presents SolidFit, an Android-based fitness tracking application designed around the …

Developing A Cpp-Conjugated Cas9 Library For Efficient Non-Viral Delivery To The Dmd Gene, Amie Donathan

2026 Research Poster Competition

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or DMD, is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by the mutation of the DMD gene, resulting in alterations in the functionality or production of dystrophin, a protein essential to maintain muscle fiber integrity and strength. This mutation leads to progressive muscle degeneration, causing motor loss, cardiopulmonary failure, and ultimately, premature death. Gene therapies using CRISPR aim to replace the mutated gene to provide long-term correction. Although this has promise, CRISPR-based therapies use a viral vector to deliver, which presents notable challenges, such as immune problems and liver toxicity. A non-viral delivery method is a viable approach, but …

Application Of Matlab Simulation For Quantum Wells And Absorption Modelling, Mohamed Nur

Electrical Engineering Theses

The Quantum-Well User Entered Simulation Tool (QUEST), originally developed at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2005, is a simulation program built in MATLAB for computing energy eigenvalues and wavefunctions in user-defined semiconductor quantum well structures. This thesis presents a new revision and extension of QUEST with three primary contributions: compatibility updates to the existing MATLAB codebase, intersubband absorption modelling, and a redesigned graphical user interface for ease-of-use in testing.

The modernization effort for this program addresses incompatibilities introduced by changes to the MATLAB runtime environment since QUEST’s original release in 2005, including corrections to the self-consistent Schrödinger-Poisson solver …

Forbes M Robertson - Details Of Primary Training, Jenifer A. Harding

Documents: Forbes McKenzie Robertson

Details of Primary Training (January 20 to March 16, 1943) of RAF cadet Forbes McKenzie Robertson who was killed in a plane crash on April 24, 1943, while training to be a pilot at 5BFTS. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission British Plot. at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia. Forbes’ Instructor was Fred Brittain.

Bridging The Gap: Strategic Leadership For Student-Centered Advising And Retention At A Community College, Dina Abdul Rahman, Wenjun Chi, Katelynn Jarrells, Janet Ping

Doctor of Education Capstones

Community colleges serve as the most accessible gateway to higher education for millions of Americans, yet persistent dropout rates continue to undermine both student opportunity and institutional mission, particularly for first-generation students, students of color, adult learners, working students, and those experiencing financial precarity. This dissertation in practice examined high dropout rates at Delaware County Community College (DCCC), a multi-campus institution serving diverse communities across Delaware and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania. Guided by improvement science and grounded in critical pragmatism, Team RISE partnered with DCCC's Student Affairs division to investigate the systemic roots of student attrition and retention to develop …

The Rva Resilience Network: Filling Gaps With Resilience Microhubs, Andrew Bunn

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Richmond, Virginia has experienced a steady increase in climate-related disruptions including more hot days and more extreme storm events than in previous decades. Frontline communities disproportionately feel the impacts of these events, revealing gaps in the services and resources that should allow these communities to prepare for and recover from disruptions more effectively. This plan, developed for Groundwork RVA, explores neighborhood-scale resilience microhubs as a tool to fill these gaps and increase resilience in frontline communities.

The plan establishes a repeatable process for creating and expanding a network of resilience microhubs in the Richmond region. This process was tested and …

Make It Maritime: A Simulation-Based Engineering Design Challenge Using Multimodal Technologies, Jessica M. Johnson, Jennifer Renne, Jason Dudley

Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) Faculty Publications

This paper presents The Incredible Bulk, a multimodal, simulation-based engineering challenge that introduces Grades 4–12 to maritime careers and digital transformation. Students assume the roles of different maritime careers to assemble aircraft carrier bulkhead systems using: VR for spatial orientation and task preview; a 3D model as visual work instruction; paper blueprints for part identification and dimensioning; 3D-printed components for hands-on assembly; and an AR app for quality assurance/inspection. Grounded in constructionism and cognitive apprenticeship, the plan–build–inspect loop externalizes thinking and situates coached, authentic practice that advances engineering design, systems thinking, and technological literacy.

Environmental Monitoring In Shallow Lakes: Public Health Threats In Urban Waters, Kyleigh E. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Lakes are an integral part of urban and suburban communities, providing ecological, recreational, and public health benefits. Many of these lakes are located in densely populated areas and are subject to urban influences on water quality. Algal toxins and Escherichia coli are two common recreational concerns. Algal toxins come from harmful algal blooms that are influenced by nutrient availability and temperature, while bacteria are often introduced through run-off and animal waste. Sampling every 3-4 weeks from May-October 2025 allowed for the assessment of seasonal patterns and site-specific differences across nine lakes in the Richmond area. The highest bacterial concentrations appeared …

Profile: More Is Morris, Communications And Marketing

Profile (1996-)

In this Issue: New Name and New Director for the AgCountry Challenge ; Salute to Scholarships ; Gift to Not Only Enhance Cougar Sports Center But Entire Community ; Lucy Imholte's Lasting Legacy Honored Through Sculpture ; From Dining Hall to Third Floor Behmler: Rodriguez '87 is Eighth Chancellor ; Partnership Pilots New Energy Storage Technology on Campus ; Faculty and Staff Awards ; Van Wey Named Fulbright Finalist ; UMN Morris Receives Carnegie Community Engagement Classification ; Public Lecture, Telescope Viewing Part of SCOPES Conference ; UMN Morris Adds $165.3 Million to Minnesota's Economy Each Year ; PBS Documentary …

Parkland's Beginnings, 1966-1986 (Exhibit Materials), Donica Swann

Library Scholarship

2026 marked Parkland College's 60th anniversary. This exhibit explores Parkland's beginnings with a focus on the college's creation, classes offered, and the first students to enroll.

The Federal Rules Of Evi-Dance: Exploring And Reimagining Evidence Law Through Music, And Proposing Amendments To Rule 604, Brian C. Potts

Faculty Articles

Every trial has a rhythm and a flow. Every trial is a performance. This article extends the literature on law and music further into the field of evidence. I offer a new exploration and reimagining of the Federal Rules of Evidence through leitmotivs. I contend that leitmotivs—musical calling cards—reify principles of evidence law. As I spin these leitmotivs, I propose two amendments to Rule 604 regarding the oath for courtroom interpreters. I propound a new critique explaining how and why courts are wrong when they often claim “Daubert did not work a ‘seachange’ over federal evidence law.” I tender two …

Ronald Albert Purrett - Biography, Jenifer A. Harding

Documents: Ronald Albert Purrett

Biography of RAF cadet Ronald Albert Purrett who was killed in a plane crash on December 14, 1942, while training to be a pilot at 5BFTS. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission British Plot. at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia.

Evaluating Willow Establishment With Biochar For Remediation Of Mine Waste Soils: Amendment Ph Determines Plant Biomass And Metal Mobility, Madeline R. Webb

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Heavy metal contaminated mine tailings (“stamp sands”) from historic copper mining inhibit plant establishment and contribute to ongoing metal contamination. Biochar amendments may enhance plant growth and reduce metal mobility in highly permeable mine waste soils, but the efficacies of different application methods or biochar sources and composition are uncertain. We evaluated different biochar sources (neutral or alkaline pH) and application methods (either mixed or layered) for planted willow growth, moisture retention, and metal mobility. A 10-week growth chamber experiment assessed plant performance, heavy metal content and heavy metal mobility in soil leachates and plant tissues. Biochar pH was the …

Origin Of The World-Class Eagle, Eagle East, And Tamarack Ni-Cu-Pge Deposits And Comparative Analysis With Other Midcontinent Rift- And Siberian Trap-Related Intrusions, Robert M. Nowak

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The 1.1 Ga Mesoproterozoic Midcontinent rift hosts the Eagle, Eagle East, and Tamarack Ni-Cu-PGE deposits and Embayment Prospect. These deposits are hosted by ultramafic igneous rocks and have some of the highest Ni-Cu grades on Earth. We use new bulk-rock data and published datasets (bulk-rock, mineral chemistry, and isotopic analyses) to examine major, minor, and trace element trends of both Midcontinent rift-related alkaline and tholeiitic intrusions. In addition, we compare the geochemical data to local kimberlite-hosted lower-crustal xenoliths and local igneous (Archean) and sedimentary (Paleoproterozoic) country rocks. We found the peridotite magma compositions dominantly consist of primitive mantle compositions with …

Potential Of Stamp Sands As Cemented Tailings, Samuel Sukaria

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Worldwide mine tailings ponds and reservoirs occupy some 534 billion m³ of space with the volume expected to increase as economic demand for minerals increases over the next decades. These reservoirs produce adverse effects on local communities and ecosystems through structural failure resulting in mass flooding events, drainage of pollutants into water supply and emissions of airborne particulate matter. Methods developed to find use for tailings include extraction of residual minerals and aggregates in construction materials. The latter method has already been used in mining operations to stabilize mining reservoirs and stopes, and as placement for temporary road work …